To the Stars: A Thatch Novel

This may be one of the most difficult reviews I will ever write. I don’t really want to give away spoilers but feel like there are some things that need to be disclosed to the readers about To The Stars by Molly McAdams.First of all I want to say that this is a solid 5 Star book. The writing is superb. The delivery of the story from duo POV’s, as well as past and present, make this story authentic. Molly McAdams unique talent of writing an emotionally involving story that wrenches the readers heart goes beyond expectations. What she delivers in To The Stars will engage every emotion imaginable and will engage the reader physically to the point of pain. This book is quite different from her previous new adult romances. It goes beyond the emotional angst and delves into emotional terror.The synopsis for this book is a bit deceiving. It leads readers to believe that this is a second chance romance after teenage angst tore this couple apart. It has the second chance romance that readers were expecting. The difference is the journey Harlow has had to travel. It is beyond a teenage girl making bad choices due to immaturity. The choices she made led her down a road no woman, young or old, ever wants to be on. She chose the wrong man and ended up scarred for life, emotionally and physically. She endured physical abuse that led to a life of terror.This is a book about surviving domestic abuse. If this subject matter is a trigger or hard point, do not read it. Molly pulled out the big guns and gave the reader a very vivid, graphic, and painful look at domestic violence.Harlow was in an awkward position in life that led her to choosing the wrong man to spend her life with. When she met Knox she was a fifteen year old girl. She was too mature for the boys her age but not emotionally mature enough for an older guy. Rather than diving into a romantic relationship, they developed a strong friendship with the promise of more when she turned eighteen. By the time she reached eighteen, she still did not have enough life experience or social experience to make the right choice where romance was concerned. Because of her inexperience and immaturity, her perceptions of Knox’s behavior were off base. What she perceived as rejection was something different altogether. Her reaction was what a typical girl would do at that age. She moved on to another guy. She didn’t look at the overall picture, she didn’t analyze her emotions, and she didn’t listen to her gut instinct. She dove head first into a relationship that appeared to be perfect in everyone’s eyes even though deep down she knew her heart ached for the boy she had once loved. She rushed into marriage and ended up in living hell. For five years she lived in a nightmare where the monster was very real.When she runs into Knox at a coffee shop in town, she’s a hollow shadow of the girl he once loved. When her secrets begin to surface it awakens the horrific beast that was hiding beneath the terrifying monster she already knew. It’s too late for her and Knox. She has finally reached her breaking point and resigned herself to the life she chose. She’s lost all hope. She’s lost all her will.Knox has loved Harlow for seven years. He is going to do everything in his power to save the girl he has always loved. It doesn’t matter that she chose another man. What matters most is that the girl he loved is freed from the nightmare. He wants her to reach for the stars. He wants to see the girl he once knew find herself again. He has loved her to the stars and back. Now he wants her to love herself.As I read this story my stomach was in knots. At times I was physically sick to my stomach. I was horrified at Harlow’s life. I felt every emotion, every moment of terror, and the resignation in her soul. I could easily see how a young,impressionable young woman could easily fall into this kind of abusive relationship. It clearly is not from lack of intelligence, lack of good judgement, or lack of self esteem. It’s from inexperience and emotional immaturity. There isn’t wisdom or previous experiences to draw upon. There’s the desire to find romance and prince charming. There’s the desire to be an adult and make your own choices in life. Harlow didn’t give herself the chance to blossom. Growing as an individual takes time, life experience, and reflection.Molly McAdams delivered a powerful story that will make readers cringe but also become aware of all the ramifications caused by domestic violence. She didn’t sugarcoat the story or add fluff to the romance. She gave the readers a very real view of a life many women have lived. The one message I took away from this book is that no matter how bad life can be there is always hope if you are brave enough to reach for the stars.

Molly McAdams, quite possibly gave me the ugliest book cry in my life. She gave me a top book boyfriend that I still obsess over, three years after I read his book. She has blown me away with every book I've read and To The Stars is no different.Harlow Evans met Knox Alexander when she was fifteen years old. It was absolutely one of those love at first sight things. There was only one problem. Know was two weeks away from being eighteen and you know what that means.Fearing what could happens if he enters a physical relationship with Harlow, he promises he'll wait for her to turn eighteen so they can be together. So for years the two have a relationship that never becomes intimate. I shouldn't say that. It is intimate, just not physical. Even though they clearly love each other, Knox is willing to wait. A fact he makes very clear to Harlow. A fact she never truly believes and tells him he's wasting his time waiting.Of course she thinks that. Everyone keeps telling them they can't be together. Knox has two friends I wanted to knock out because they were so mean about Harlow. Top it off with Knox going off to college and well, you know how it goes.At least you think you do, because guess what? Knox is there on Harlow's eighteenth birthday. Yup. He waited for her. But, Harlow didn't wait for him. I'm tearing up now, because I'm rereading that part and oh mylanta, my heart just aches for Knox.Harlow meets someone else while she's at college and he becomes her first. Then she goes and marries him. Collin looks amazing on paper. Then you meet him in person and you get to see the monster he truly is. The second he knows Harlow is his, Collin becomes this horribly depraved abusive animal. I will warn you, some of the things that happen to Harlow are painful to read about. Collin is not only abusive to Harlow, but threatens her family if she tries to leave him.In the midst of her abusive marriage, Harlow and Knox run into each other and he knows something is wrong. She's not his Harlow anymore. Of course he wants to help, but Harlow is afraid. She's afraid for herself and she's afraid of Collin finding out and going after Knox.I wanted so much not to like Harlow. I was so mad at her for what she did to Knox. But, I have to admit, I got it. She couldn't believe someone as perfect as Knox would wait for her. When you're young and people tell you, you don't know what love is and you're inclined to believe them. Then you sense the regret she feels for everything that happened and you forgive her.Knox on the other hand is book boyfriend perfection. According to Harlow he was created by the gods for girls to drool over. Dark hair, dark eyes, crooked smile, lean muscular body. How could you not fall in love. But the best part of him was his love for Harlow. He truly never gave up on her and that comes through loud and clear. He is an absolutely amazing person and is already a top book boyfriend for me. I mean how many boys tell you the moon isn't far enough to show their love. Knox wanted to love Harlow to the stars because they're farther away. *******super swoon*****Knox and Harlow's story is told from the past and from the present. Both parts will give you that squeezing feeling in your heart. And yes in true Molly McAdams fashion I cried like a baby.Even with the sensitive nature of the book and the tears I have to give To The Stars a solid five lip smack review. Come on....I love Molly McAdams and when I want to finish a book in one sitting with my schedule, you know it's a goodie.Yes Knox Alexander, I do love you to the stars.....

I think my lungs are getting some much needed air into them now!What an amazing writer, you have the reader enraptured into the story, as if we are part of the makeup of it, seeing what’s going on, being a part of the surroundings.During the horrendous time of Harlow and Collin I wanted to actually go in and help them both, to see what was going on to make both of them see what they were actually doing to each other.Collin was a very deranged man, and there really only was one way in which it could go, still doesn’t make it feel better, but you really cannot mess around with Karma, she can be one hellova bitch.I loved getting the flashbacks between Harlow and Knox, it really brought the story to life, made you see things that might have been missed.I loved that Graham and Deacon gave Knox such a hard time, they believed in what they thought and it was sort of thru, there were elements where you thought that Graham and Deacon was not making it up.I loved how Deacon always took his thoughts and comments just a little too far, making Graham appear to be a saint!! It was just that he knew when to stop with the sarky comments.You really understood why Harlow made that choice, even though it was the wrong one, but she was a very selfless person, she was always putting others happiness and wellbeing before her own. It took her a long time, but I’m so glad she actually saw to it, and stood up for herself. She was a remarkable lady and rightfully earned the title, bestowed upon her by Graham and Deacon. Warrior!!So loved the epilogue, it certainly made my heart start beating, after being put on hold whilst we went through the cold hard pain of seeing Harlow go through hell, and not getting immediate support from her family, although they came through in the end. Collin’s family were in total denial, but accepted what Low said in the end too!This was a heartfelt story, one full of love and understanding between Low and Knox, they had a compassion for each other, even if the journey was a little twisty.The strength and determination of one very brave young lady, whose inner strength spoke volumes.Knox had unbelievable patience, and also a strength when it was needed, he is a very loving and forgiving man, with only one goal. To make Low happy and safe.

I was looking forward to this one after reading letting go. But this was so not the story I was expecting. It gripped me from the start as all Molly’s books do. Harlow made the biggest mistake of her life and man did she pay the price. Really emotional in parts as she endures so much. Knox is so patient. “Why would anyone waste their time only loving someone to the moon when they could love them to the stars?”

As I always expect from Molly, this is a fabulous story. I was pulled through an emotional wringer!Anxiousness, happiness, heartbreak, sadness, loss... to name a few emotions I endured.Held my breath so many times.I felt so sad for Harlow and Knox. Mistakes were made that were life alteringly tragic.LOTS of tears, as you would expect with this author's stories.One of my all time favourite authors.Highly recommend you read this! It is a second book in a series but is easily read as a stand alone.

Omg I just loved Liam just as much as chace. Molly McAdams I may have just forgiven you a smidgin !!!! I smiled from the start and may have had an ugly cry after hearing five simple words " you look just like him" them i was a goner all over again . I loved this book just as much as the rest. Well done Mrs McAdams .

Great